Blog Tag

Okay, blog tag.  An international game of blog tag and I've been tagged by Chazzhart.  I have to answer some questions about myself so all my wonderful fellow bloggers can get to know me better and then I will tag four other bloggers so we can learn about them 







4 things that are in my handbag/always carry with me:

1. My Micro McCoy action figure, a 3" figure of Dr McCoy, played by Karl Urban in Star Trek (2009).  Karl is my celebrity crush of over ten years, in case you didn't know.
2. A note book
3. My iPod
4. The current novel I am reading: Gena Showalters Darkest Passion.

4 thing in.on my desk:

1. A Chinese good fortune cat
2. My camera,
3. 10 reference books all related to writing, including a directory of agents and publishers and the Oxford book of Quotations
4. General mess and clutter and piles of correspondence

4 things in my bedroom:

1. Two bookshelves, my daughter just got a desk with a built in bookshelf, so I snaffled hers and am looking forward to filling up the extra space, which is not as much as I thought as the old shelf was overflowing.
2. My rocking horse from when I was a child, it's more of a clothes horse now, but there's nowhere else to put it.
3. My mirror with all my red costume jewellery and scarves draped over it.
4. All my journals new, old and wip.

4 things I've always wanted to do but haven't:

1. Make bread pudding
2. Properly edit my entire novel and get it submitted (I am working on this)
3. Enjoy keep fit activities... walking and swimming somehow seem too leisurely, I wish I enjoyed running.
4. Get my tattoo - I can't find the right artist to create what will be a tribute to my mum and family

4 things I enjoy very much at the moment:

1. Seeing the changes and development in my children as they start a new school year
2. Getting the bus to work - I can read and listen to my iPod in peace
3. Pepsi Max, I crave the stuff on an hourly basis
4. Sleep, having been quite ill recently, and I am extremely tired

4 songs I can't get out of my head:

1. A Little Less Conversation - Elvis
2. She's Like the Wind - Patrick Swayze
3. This Kiss - Faith Hill
4. The Bird and The Worm - The Used (fell in love with on the trailer for Clash of the Titans)

4 things you don't know about me:

1. I trained as a (roller) figure skater when I was little
2. I've broken three out of four of my limbs due to roller skating
3. I'm addicted to Mario Kart on the Wii
4. I have a performing arts qualification

4 blogs I am tagging:

Muse Musings
The Musical Cynic
Life 4 me, by me
The Writing Journey 
Edit:my technical incompetence knows no bounds!  I have tried tagging you, but it's not there, so passive tagging, why not just copy from my blog if you want to do this.  It's quite good fun.

Birthday time, no time, time, where is the time going?

Well, today sees my beautiful little girl turn seven!
Where has the time gone?  Every moment seems to fly past so quickly, seems like only a short time ago I was bringing her home from the hospital.

I took today off work to be home when she got home from school and go to McDonalds with her afterwards for a treat and a play in the indoor adventure area, as she had her party last Saturday.  As a bonus to me, I thought I would get a couple of hours to myself to progress my current WIP, which is another instalment of life with Big Red.  Big Red is without doubt my favorite character I have ever created.

However, back to the issue of time, so many other things have cropped up today, all my writing time has withered away until now there's none left.  I'm so cross, I meant to get so much done today, both in home and with my writing.  How frustrating. 

Anyway, no time to dwell now, the birthday girl will be home soon, and her I will always make time for.

Introducing: The Red Asylum

It gives me the greatest pleasure to announce a brand new short fiction magazine, The Red Asylum.

The Red Asylum hungers after the most dark and twisted short stories written.

Today is a historic day as the website and blog go live and start to actively seek submissions ready for the first edition.

Check out the website now, meet the editors and read the submission guidelines to see if you have what we're looking for.  The Red Asylum, full website address http://theredasylum.webs.com/   There's a blog too and you can find it under my blog listings.

Playing with the words and ways

In an effort to improve my skills I'm reading/studying 'The Elements of Style', by William Strunk, Jr.  As recommended to me by a friend and fellow HHer.  It's not a huge book, actually it's quite small - part of its appeal - but it's packed with clear and straight forward advice in a very easy to digest format.  A punctuation for dummies sort of thing.

I am the first person to admit my grasp of the semicolon and coma is not as good as it could be. And I'm terrible for second guessing myself, i.e. putting a coma in, feeling it's wrong and taking it out again, only to find out I was right in the first place.

I maintain, I am a story teller.  Like Hans Christian Anderson, I could sit round with a groups of (maybe not) children and tell stories all day.  But when in speech, punctuation - pauses and breaks - come through naturally.  As someone who is always told she writes as she speaks you would think my problem wouldn't be as is... alas

Anyway, as I digest the information in my little book, I have a number ideas floating round my head for new stories, as well as those I already started that are languishing on my flash drive.  Quite simply I just feel the need to write, let words flow, unstructured and free.  Who knows where the ride will take me?

Coming soon...

I'm pleased to announce a few exciting things coming my way soon.  Some I can't really divulge just yet, as much as I am itching to.  But others I certainly can.

Untreed Reads, who publish 'A Daughter's Love' are always getting in touch with promotional opportunities for all their writers.  And one that came my way recently was an interview on popular reader/writer blog called Must Mutter - you can see it under the blogs I follow.

I dropped the owner a line about me and he's invited me to do an interview.  I've just finished it and have sent it over.  I've already been warned there's a queue of authors waiting to appear on the site, which is most encouraging, but I can expect to see myself up there with them some time round November.  The site gets tweeted and has a facebook link, so lots of coverage.

Just to make it extra special it would be fab to have another acceptance between now and then... so nose to grindstone Lorraine.  Chop, chop!

Science-misfunction

I don't know if I am angry, disappointed or just plain pissed off with myself.  I'm still under the weather (although certainly on the mend) and quite tired.  It's not a good look for me.

Today I got a couple more great comments on my sci-fi piece, which all centred around making the characters stronger, something that when pointed out was a very good catch.  But, there was also a few observations from the reviewers about the sci-fi aspects, types of beings etc.  Anyway, foot-in-mouth Sears that I am - and remember I am not feeling a hundred percent - I made a few comments in response, which I thought would be taken in good humour... NOT

In less than a hundred words I pretty much managed to piss three of the male members of HH with comments they perceived as insulting.  I suppose they were a little sexist, but said in what I thought was a non-offensive way.  It was certainly something I would get away with round my (real life) friends and family, maybe provoking a little fun banter, which was what I had hoped for here.  I was gutted that these guys, who all voiced disapproval pretty directly, are the same people I have pretty relaxed conversations with at other times, away from HH.  We've had some quite bizarre chats and I thought the same camaraderie would have applied on HH.  How wrong can a girl be?

So, after a heart felt apology, and acknowledging maybe my comments hadn't come off as intended, I am now sat feeling rather dazed and confused.   And here I sit, licking my wounds and wondering how to make it right again.

We all take our writing so seriously, we're proud of it and want it to be enjoyed.  We all take our critique seriously, we want to know it's well received and useful.  Maybe there's no room for friendships alongside such a serious business.  They say never mix business with pleasure... I didn't consider my writing a business before, but perhaps it's something I should think about going forward.

I'm resolving, from now on, HH is business only.  I'll watch my Ps and Qs and thank everyone who takes the time and effort to read my work and comments (if anyone does ever again after this), and I'll keep all my other thoughts to myself.

As for the story that caused all this kerfuffle, well, it's enjoying a complete re-write from a new POV, and already I am feeling that it has the potential to make the piece a lot stronger.  I'm just wondering after my complete social cock-up if anyone will even bother reading it.   Talk about one of those days when you wish you'd never opened you mouth!

Science Fiction... just how far out there is too far?

I've recently finished writing a new short called 'Driving with James',  original title 'Sat-Nav Nightmare'.  The idea for the story came from a friend and colleague, who, knowing I am a writer said she had an idea for a story where the Sat-Nav takes over the car and holds the driver prisoner.  As she isn't a writer she was more than happy for me to use the idea, and away I went to think of a plot.

Now normally my bad guy is the devil.  I can't help it I think he lends himself to so many scenarios, and I also love giving him some new aspects.  But no, not this time I told myself.  This time I wanted to find someone new to take the centre stage as 'bad guy'. 

So, although not a sci-fi reader for many years (since my mid-teens), when I would soak up Ben Bova's books about the warrior Orion, I decided to go down that route.  And even though I don't read sci-fi, I do LOVE sci-fi movies; Star Trek, Star Wars, Alien, Predator, Transformers etc. etc.  So I knew what sort of lingo I'd be looking at and I had some excellent vivid, mental images I wanted to portray.  But imagine my surprise when one of my fellow HH's said they found the plot a little far-fetched!

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't offended by the comment and as well as that the reader also made some great observations, but I just never considered you could ever go to far with science fiction.  I mean space it infinite, and most sci-fi is about space, ergo infinite possibilities.  Anyway, I've shown my colleague the story, born of her idea and she loves it.  So a little spit and polish on it and I'll be sending it out.

In other news, I finished my newest Christine Feehan novel, Dark Peril.  The review of which can be found on Amazon.  And I am now on the the next book in the series (which I am ashamed to say has been on my shelf for a number of months) of Lords of the Underworld, by Gena Showalter, called The Darkest Passion.  When all is said and done, although I've read some corking good books recently, I cannot deny that Paranormal Romance, is my absolute preferred genre, without a shred of doubt.

Health Update

So, since I shared with you all that I've got a nasty cough, I wanted to let you know I've been to the doctor today as it isn't getting better and have been told I have acute bronchitis.  Wow, I am in shock, and also very breathless.

I have high-dose antibiotics and am best when sitting still and quiet.  Thankfully, my passions of reading and writing lend themselves beautifully to this.  However an active three and six year old do not.  And neither does a pressing job, which I cannot afford to take more time away from.

So taking things slow and steady... life goes on.

Rejection... Rejection... Rejection

I counted up my rejections the other day with the aim of bringing a smile to a friends face after they suffered one themselves.  It was 46 rejections, well make that 47! I got another for a piece that had been out for about four months.  However it came with such nice comments, and considering it had been submitted to such a competitive market (they were only looking for six pieces), that it didn't leave me feeling deflated as many often do.

Here is part of that reply:
"Many exceptional pieces were submitted to the contest. Unfortunately, we could only pick six finalists out of the many excellent entries. We are sorry to tell you that your story was not among the finalists. Although we did not choose your piece, we saw potential. We encourage you to keep writing and submitting your work. Ink-Filled Page is published quarterly, so please feel free to re-enter at a later date, and watch for the quarterly journal at www.inkfilledpage.com."

So it's back to the keyboard.  I have a couple of pieces in WIP right now (one is a Sci-fi piece, which is new ground for me), as well as ideas to bring forward.  There's also been a call for erotic fiction by Battered Suitcase, so I might try my hand at something like that again.  I already have a concept and plot that I started and abandoned about a month ago.  To be honest it feels much better to have a flood of ideas than it does just to have the one and worry about what happens next.  So, yeah, anyway, I better go get on with it!

Cough, cough, cough

I'm not one to complain normally, when I get a cough or cold, but this one really has knocked me for six.  For the past three days I've been a shivering, aching mess of cardigans and thick socks on my sofa.  Looking pathetic and sounding worse.  Nights have been disturbed with my constant bark,as I try to find a comfortable position which isn't easy, since anything vaguely laying on my back sets me off.  And despite numerous offers to go and sleep on the couch, my saintly husband, who has to be up early has allowed me to remain in the bed, no matter the disturbance to his sleep.

I've been off work, which couldn't come at a worse time since my boss is off on holiday for the next fortnight and we've had no handover and the first draft of the quarterly magazine I write for staff needs to be reviewed in time for the print run.

On top of this my son has now got the cold and spends his nights sweating and shivering alternately, so I am up and down getting juice and putting covers back on.  They've only been back at school, what is it?  Two weeks today and already the lurgy has taken stronghold in our house. 

Ordinarily I would make use of days off work to write, but I've been fit for nothing, hence the lack of entries on my blog.  One silver lining to this germy cloud.  Resting in bed has allowed me to do some serious reading of the latest Christine Feehan novel, Dark Peril, which sees one of my favorite authors back on top form.

Cough, cough, cough...

Oh, There's My Mojo!

I have been in such a writing rut of late.  I've been crawling from plot, to concept, to character trying  to pull something together.  It's been like trying to make a picture with a hundred different pieces from a hundred different jigsaws  It was horrible.

Then, all of a sudden, out of the blue!

I dragged my sorry fingers across the finish line of a piece called 'The Not So Sorry Tale of Rachel Carrelle.'  It had been a complete drain to write, and I always prefer work the flows anyhow.  But for some reason I just needed to finish this one.  And, as soon as I did... Pop, pop, pop!  Three more shorts just flew from the keys.  It was such a wonderful feeling.  Like opening windows in a stuffyroom.

So in the last seven days I have managed to finish and submit to the Hothouse team, not one, not two, not three, but four short stories.  What a turn around.  I am loving it.

New Amazon Review

I just finished reading a brilliant book.  Well, if you're into that sort of thing. 

'Diaries of an Internet Lover' by Dawn Porter.  You can read my review here on Amazon.

Now I'm trolling around my twenty or so unread reads wondering what to pick up next...

As luck would have it the latest Christine Feehan novel, Dark Peril, that I've had on pre-order since January, arrived today.  I love that series, so maybe...

Ooops... again!

I am sooo rubbish at submissions, it's a wonder I ever get anything accepted.

I just found a new market to submit Big Red to, cool huh and they pay $300.00 per story, so I'm not holding my breath, but I have faith in him.

So first of all I complied with all the formatting requirements, not difficult, but still time consuming.  Then  I wrote a synopsis.  Then I attached and sent.  Then I realised I sent the wrong version, I sent one without the builds to strengthen it.

So I reformatted the correct version and sent an apology, but realised just as I clicked send - no attachment. 

So, finally I send them a third e-mail with a note about my bumbling incompetence, assurances I have been published before and that today is just one of those days, and finally the re-formatted correct version is attached. Whatever chance I had before has probably been diminished greatly, but, oh well...

Ooops!

So, got another rejection yesterday, not big deal, all part and parcel of what I do.  But I was getting frustrated by this particular market.  They were asking for queer stuff and I have sent them all my twisted and paranormal tales... nothing!  But they always kept saying please keep submitting to us.

So when I report back to me fellow HHs imagine my embarrassment when some one said.  'Not queer weird, queer sexual', ooops.  I read some of the stories on the magazine and yes they are 'queer' but also -queer- lol, I can't believe I never picked up on it.

Just when you need a lift

Okay... so I was googling myself while on hold at work today, yeah - don't pretend you've never done that!  And I found my name in all the expected places; twitter, Amazon, Smashword etc.  And in one unexpected place...

I think I was recommended as a coffee-time read on a book club blog.  I do believe I was listed as a 'Sweet Treat' last Tuesday.  And as far as I know I have nothing to do with the author of the comment.  Made me feel much better.

Moving with the times

Well the children start back at school and pre-school this week.  So I go back to work at new times, with less time to myself.  I feel oddly flat with my writing.  I just can't find a good medium if I dedicate time to write I always get distracted, or lose interest in plot and I hate forced writing.  If I come on-line to check my mailbox I always feel guilty for not doing more.

This weekend was great. We spent time with friends, got take out, my husband got some DIY stuff done and I treated the children to cake and strawberry frappacinos at Costa Coffee to keep out of his way.  I was hardly on line - and you know what - it was great!  Why has writing become so laborious of late?

What I need is another acceptance to buoy me up.  But alas, my mailbox remains decidedly silent.  Oh, accept for rejections.  Big Red got declined again this weekend.  Why does no one want him?  He is one of my favorite pieces of work, both in terms of plot and quality.  I've decided the next time I submit him I'll do so as a paranormal romance.  LOL

Anyway, time for this nose to get back to the grindstone again.  I am determined to finish the current project...

OMG... They were a month early!!!

My short story Distraction was due to appear in Joyful! in September.  Hmmm, well as I go to check the site, imagine my surprise to find it was already published... in August!

Anyway, here it is Distraction, by Lorraine Sears.  It's the second story on the page.

Let's Talk Design...

I've just finished a new piece, which has taken me ages to do, partly because it was a completely new style for me.  After submitting it to HH and getting valuable feedback, I made a handful of tweaks to catch some SPaG and tighten it a little.  I was just so pleased that everyone liked the style.  Something very new for me and heavily inspired by the afore mentioned book 'The Minotaur Takes A Cigarette Break'.  It was a total re-write of an idea I had banged out in less than an afternoon, so I was really pleased with myself to get it done as so often I loose interest and just resign the pieces to me flashdrive.

Anyway, I was really excited to get it submitted straight away!!

Imagine my annoyance when a fellow Hothouser points out, not 12 hours later, that the chosen publisher is closed to submissions for 2010!

I go back to the site, nothing on the home page... I go to the submissions guidelines... nothing... wait!  There at the top of the screen, yellow on white is a small notice saying closed for 2010 submissions.  Now when I write at night I have my screen settings adjusted because the bright screen hurts my eyes.  So with my 'night vision' lol switched on, I can't see the notice.  Sigh.

I e-mailed the site, apologised for subbing and explained about my sensitivity settings and how I missed the note because of them. 

Maybe it's me, because I work in a department that looks at disability awareness and user accessibility, but I find the use of such non-contrasting colours on a professional website very frustrating.

Okay grumble over!

So now, including my latest piece I have nine shorts which need submitting/resubmitting to markets.  So my next long stint at the PC, scheduled for Thursday night, will be concentrating exactly on that task.  Sometimes I love submitting... I love seeing my listing on Duoptrope stretch out.  But sometimes where formatting guidelines are unusual it's also a headache.  However, it's all part and parcel of trying to become a successful writer.  So, come on Lorraine, suck it up and get on with it!  lol